really interesting IPA. Having with my friend Paul B. and we both note the differences between what we're drinking and the commercilal description. Hardly any piney qualities. Poured with some head and lace. Color is dark & hazy amber with cherry highlights. Aroma is a little grapefruity, some malty, rotten fruit, caramel, and grain. Wrap around the tongue body. Silky. Sweet finish. Not a session beer though. This is about 3 years old. Killler. (448 characters)

A - Copper/rusty in color, mirky, white head. Lots of random bigger bubbles left behind from the head floating around on top. What's left of the head is pretty sticky, leaving some lacing behind.

S - More sweetness/malts then hoppy citrus/bitterness on this one. In fact, very little hoppy flavors and a lot of malts up front. I don't know if I'd say "fruity" sweetness, but a sweetness nonetheless. Probably because it's been a few of years since this was brewed, it has changed a bit. I don't think it's for the worse though, as I enjoy something different (which is what Stone is all about).

T - Sweetness, sugars, malts with a miniscule amount of hoppy bitterness. Almost reminds of of an American Barleywine in some ways, but the sugary sweetness is a good balance and not overly in-your-face. I probably would like some more hoppy citrus but I do like it as-is.

M - Very nice, medium in body, rich. Perfect amount of carbonation.

D - Easy to drink and I would do so again. Although, I think most of its hop characteristics are down to the bare minimum. I think a year or so ago, this would have been just about perfect but I think this one is past its prime. (1,212 characters)

There were about 14 stone beers on tap at the time from there Stone event and this was one of them. I was excited to see this on tap remembering how good it was when it 1st come out and was interested to see how 2 + years later it held up.

Pours a hazy dark orange with about a two finger white head, a lot of lacing on the way down. The nose is a fruit explosion of tropical ones, pineapple, orange, mango, grapefruit, some alcohol, oak. The taste is of peppery hops, high alcohol malt, very complex in flavor, caramel malts and sweet fruits mix togetherThe mouthfeel is thick, hot with alcohol, malty, hop bitterness is still there but no where what i remember it being when i had this 2 years back. A boozy finish and high alcohol content makes this one a sipper (802 characters)

Appearance: Cloudy, orange-amber body with thin, fizzy-ish, off-white head. Body looks thick and oily; shows just a bit of carbonation within. Head dissipates to bubbly splotches pretty quickly, and drags no lacing. Reminds me of FW Unfiltered DBA a lot, but with added body and cloudiness.

Smell: Lots of cascade hops in this one. Caramel, pine, citrus, hop oils, booze, yeast, and a sturdy malt backbone. I bet the aromatics were much juicier and hoppier when fresh, but this still smells quite good.

Taste: Biscuit-like malt and tons of cascade hop resin. Bitterness has probably fallen out quite a bit over the past two years (certainly tastes like it), but this is still pretty bitterness that remains is still pretty strong. I can imagine this was a total hop-bomb in it's heyday. Pine, sea salt, maybe some wood and spice. Rich boozy character appears midway through and provides some nice heat on the back end.

Drinkability: Very cool to see what two years of age will do to a massive imperial IPA. I liked this one, though it was a definite sipper. Large amount of heat and fairly heavy body made this one drink a bit like hard alcohol. (1,350 characters)

Nose is loaded with sweet caramel, tangerines, peaches, almost tropical, some alcohol heat underneath. No real bite from the hops at this point.

Taste is probably the best argument I've ever seen FOR aging DIPA's. Caramel malt and sweet fruit notes of tangerines, grapefruit, mango bend underneath the prickly bitterness that still shows through clearly after two years. Malt shows some toasty and maple notes as well as the beer warms - so rich, this is much more Barleywine than DIPA at this point. Finish has a firm, lingering bitterness, notes of toasty malt, grapefruit, rich tropical fruits linger.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and syrupy, with a nice crisp carbonation underneath that doesn't bite too sharply. (851 characters)

A 22 ounce bomber bottle shared with brothercannon. Poured into nonic pint glasses. Appears a murky rich apricot color with around two fingers of dense, lingering amber/tan colored foam. The head leaves a thick sticky lacing on the inside of my glass as I sip my way to the bottom. Nose and flavor are predominantly of fruits such as pineapple, peach, ,mango, plum, nectarines, grapefruit, orange and lemon, as well as a huge dose of sweet medium toasted grains and caramelized malt and a hint of mint. This one has aged nicely, becoming akin to a barleywine and there is still a bit of alcohol burn lingering about. This ale falls somewhere between medium and full bodied with ample carbonation. (696 characters)

A huge head that mellows to a small coating with great lacing.This beer is more like a barley wine at this point, with a bready character surrounded by citrus and a hint of pine and spearmint.Grapefruit, orange rind and a minty character all contribute as well as a bready character that has clearly changed over time.A full syrupy body with great carbonation. A fantastic beer that has changed over time into something different but equally delicious. (456 characters)

This beer looks fantastic. An opaque copper body with amber and pink colorings is blanketed by tons of sticky white head. I can smell it from two feet away, and I can't even wait: blood orange, clove, lemon... and a wonderful sweet character. A bit funky, has this beer converted into a barleywine? The taste pretty much proves that is has: HUGE flavor. Peach, more blood orange, a touch of clove and pepper, overwhelmingly sweet with a fantastic bitter finish. Good body, good. The only reason this isn't perfectly drinkable is the fact that this beer just inundates your palate with flavor. (629 characters)

Thanks to akorsak for this - I tasted this when fresh and took notes recently of the cellared version -shared w/ octopus87. Poured chilled into a goblet and 1/2 pint and savored for a couple hours. A - an extremely hazy deep apricot amber w/ a 1/2 inch band of pale rocky head. The cap settles to a ring, there is a moderatelly high amount of lace w/ a very fine bead.

S - A huge fruit note -plums, ruby red, mango, and pineapple in the nose w/ subtle pine in the nose. The nose is of a 10% IIPA so it has an odor of alcohol, mild cedar type woody scents and more grapefruit - the malt gives a kind of candy accent

M - The feel is viscous, w/ a heat of most barleywines w/ equivalent abv. The acidity is high and astringency is also intense. The malt is very sweet to cushion the hop intensity w/ a very bitter boozy finish

T- The malt is rich in the taste, but high in alchol flavor as it is swallowed, pepper and flowery resinous hop tastes w/ a citrus accompaniment. The flavor is of bitter herbal hops, there is a woody essence that permeates the taste buds w/ acidity of hops surfacing w/ a fruit taste like pineapple and rum. The hops contribute highly w/ slight pinesap qualities, but nice bitterness w/ the dark sugar of the malt. The flavor is very pleasing w/ considerable complexity and strength

D - A great IIPA, fun to drink even when sampling at two years old. Definitely a West coast double Ipa with hops oozing out of every possible place. The drinkability is good considering the abv. The attention given to matching malt to the intensely bitter hops is what makes this so good, you don't get the feeling the recipe is all about hops even though slanted in that direction steeply. (1,703 characters)

22 oz. bottle courtesy of DBhog - thanks!! Poured into a cervoise and split w/ a non-BA friend, as this one's hefty in both size and abv%!

Appearance: Pours a completely opaque, sunset orange- to ruddy amber-hued brew. The finger and change of slightly off-white to perhaps lightly tan head has average retention, perhaps even above average for the style, settling down significantly after the initial fade and leaving a mass of clingy, bubbly, rocky-around-the-edges fluff. Faint carbonation is visible around the edges of the glass, fine-bubbled and well dispersed but also surprisingly fast. The lacing itself is rocky, clingy, and sheet-like, thin and delicate all over the sides of the glass. A very good start.

Aroma: Huge fruityness, spicy and intense. Pineapple makes itself known in a huge way, with grapefruit - sweet and zesty - not too far behind. Tons of other stray fruity esters - orange and lemon peel, apple, pear - grapple with tobacco and other leafyness, as well as a light and pungently sprucey pine note. Everything is vaguely sweet, lightly roasted and caramelly, doughy and pillowy, lending everything a very candied, fruit juice-esque note.

Taste: Fruit juice strikes again!! Whatever bitterness was once likely prominent in this one has faded substantially, replaced by a dull prickle, blended well with the spicy spruce notes. Fruit notes (and hop notes generally) run the gamut - orange, lemon, pineapple, mint, kiwi, leather, tobacco, grapefruit, pear, mango, lighter floral notes - and are enveloped in a sweet, roasty malt cloud, slightly grainy but fantastically delicious. The alcohol is hardly noticeable at all, even at 10%, and I'm very pleased with the way this one has seemingly aged. It's still "spicy" - I actually think it's equal parts piney notes, hop bitterness, and alcohol heat, but all things considered, eh.

Mouthfeel: Nearly immaculate, with a light and fluffy but still crisp and wonderfully smooth, even, and creamy mouth. The body is thick, but it doesn't FEEL thick - it feels breezy and pillowy, and compliments the flavor components well.

Drinkability: This beer is near perfect in almost several ways. It falls short on all points, but it's still drinking remarkably well at this stage in the game. Count me as another vote in bringing back Stone Xth as a regular, akin to the return of Stone XIth as SSA (is that a recognized acronym yet?). The alcohol is mellow, well-integrated, and - though, yes, 10% - about as good as you can expect it to be. This is one big, flavorful, enjoyable, intense brew, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone - drinking just great. (2,625 characters)

Pours a clouded brown orange. Nose is malty alcohol tones. Flavor is quite smooth malt tones. Aged hops are clearly present. But the malts rule here. Touches of caramel and apple tones. (As well as a fairly firm alcohol tone.) Feel is smooth on liquid and carbonation. Man. Amazing still though a totally different beer aged than fresh. A real pleasure to drink and a vibrant example of how good double IPAs can age. (416 characters)

I love Stone offerings, but have typically shied away from their pale, IPA, and Ruination because I think the rest of the lineup is better. But, the other day, the beer buyer told me he had a bottle of this in the back and asked if I would like to buy it, and because of all the wonderful things I've heard and continue to hear about this beer, I accepted his offering. Consumed on February 1, 2009 during the Super Bowl. On to the review...

I poured from the bottle into a Unibroue tulip and held the glass up to the light. The body is bright apricot, topped with a frothy, two-finger eggshell head.

The smell is out of this world with the volume turned up on the juicy, citrus aromas. I never had this beer previously, but I would've never guessed this was a two year old, double IPA. It smells like it was dry-hopped yesterday. Wow, consider me floored. Also, there's zero detection of fusel alcohol. The aging really brought some balance (I would assume) because there's zero alcoholic aroma in this 10% beast.

This still tastes like a double IPA. I wouldn't say the barleywine characteristics have started taking over, and I tend to lean toward big and malty. The hops are still very forward and in your face. Awesome.

Silky smooth and very satisfying.

I don't think alcoholic content has anything to do with drinkability. It's a combination of all the previous characteristics, and if I get lit in the process, nice. Anyway, drinkability is excellent. I wanted more, but ran out after splitting the bottle with my buddy. If I ever find more of this, I'll get more than one bottle. (1,591 characters)

Hell of a brew. Had it fresh years ago (dimly remembered), and recall loving it, but was surprised to see bottles of this reappearing.

Pours a bright orange with hints of amber. Two inches of off-white head.

The aroma ... breathtaking. Exotic fruits (pineapple? Mango? Guava? Mandarin Orange?) and a bunch of sweet white grapefruit with ... is that malt I detect? Wow, the flavor is pretty balanced. Sweet, viscous caramel, delightful brown sugar, and a bunch of sweet grapefruit and tropical notes.

This is a splendid beer, and I'm shocked at how well it's aged. Going back and getting more. Many more. I never cellar any hop-based brews, but I'm going to make an exception. This has really gone through a barley-wine style maturation process (10% ABV?), and while it may be a different animal, it's still one I'd like to butcher and consume.

**I spotted this review after writing my own: I agree, and would like to know how the tenth was stored.

I've had more than my fair share of this brew. It pours a very nice amber. A wonderful, piney smell with alcohol that is balanced well with the malt. The taste is similar. Reminds me of A lot of good times. Very hoppy, lots of piney chinooks and, pleasently, very few centenials and cascades. Exceptional taste, which is similar to the smell. Doesn't taste like a double but a well balanced, very hearty IPA. If you get the chance to taste this TAKE IT!!!! (456 characters)

Picked up a growler last night. Went for the 06 Double AB, but was pleasantly surprised with this 8 o'clock offering. Plus, I was told this would be the second to last growler release of this. Get it while you can!

A- Poured from the growler into a tulip glass. Dark orange, light copper color with a good one inch foamy head. Not quite opaque, more translucent in clarity. The head slowly recedes to buubly ring around the glass, and retained minimal head in the center.

S- First whiff, surprisingly caramelly sugars. Swirl it around a bit, get my nose deep in there- Is this an IPA??? I get caramelized grapefruit, some guava, watermelon and some sweet alcohol. It smells thick!

T- Definetly sweet malt up front, almost caramelly, and honey-like,transitioning into some slight pine bitterness, and finished with some anise.... like the lingering flavor of black licorice.

M- I never had this fresh, I had a bottle about a year ago...but I am convinced this has condensed or thickened up over time. This is the thickest feeling IPA I have ever had. Coats the tongue heavily. Rubbing my tongue against the roof of my mouth for like a minute and I can still detect its presence.

D- This is hard for me to gauge. A great beer (from what I have heard/read)that has developed into into an amazing, yet different beast. Great to have a glass of, but I am staring at a whole growler of this. I promise I will do my best though!! (1,428 characters)

Out of the double-magnum Pours cloudy amber with a rocky white meringue-type head. Nearly overpowering hoppy nose. Lots of pine and grapefruit, almost like fresh-cut wood. More citrus in terms of orange peel. Huge hop taste with a subtle alcohol burn. Loads of grapefruit and resin in this monster, biting you with every sip. Some sweeter citrus as well, oranges, pienapple, and even a little mango. The malt smooths it out a tad in the end, but overall the beer retains the nice hop bite. One of the best. (506 characters)

Taste: Toasted caramel with a full, hearty sweetness. Earthy, fruity hop flavors of concentrated citrus and diminished pine resin that, though it's now two years old, still provides a solid jab of bitterness that holds until the hoppy finish.

Drinkability: Still delicious! Ah, my zest for life has finally returned. Stone 10th was good then and it's good now. Some beers arrive a mess and need years upon years to morph into something decent. Some beers are fantastic fresh but die quick, painful deaths. So, it's good to see some can stand the test of time. (847 characters)

Reviewed on 8/15/08. Bottle courtesy of adrian910ss. Pours a mahogany brown with a small tan head. Aroma of bitter hops, sweet malt, citrus, and stale urine. Flavor is quite malty and sweet, also got some apple skins. Kind of muddied as I didn't find it complex in flavor. Ok but not one of the better Stone offerings.6/4/7/4/15 (3.6/5) (337 characters)

I opened this for Christmas after cellaring it for the last 2 plus years. I have been told that IPAs are best fresh but I have to say that I really think that this beer has gotten better with age. The hop flavor was still intensely delicious and the mouthfeel was still as good as when it was fresh. This is definately a beer that was worth cellaring. (351 characters)

Welcome to Florida Stone. Had this one at the kick off party at the OTH.

A: Pours a nice bold goldish orange hue with a nice solid one finger head. The head dies down rather quickly but does manage some lace.

S: Nice sweet malty aromas with hints of summer fruits and apricot. Bold pine notes with a touch of citrus.

T: Wow this has held up nicely over the past three years. Tons of sweet malt up front. Hints of apple skin and butterscotch. It don't take long for the hops to introduce themselves. Bold resinous pine with touches of citrus.

M: Full in body, rather thick for the style. Nice carbonation as well.

D: Liked it so much I had two pints. Wonderful brew, glad Stone offered it up at the welcoming party. (719 characters)

A rich copper brown color with a creamy tan head. The nose is a mixture of aged piney hops, candy malts and ripe fruits. The taste follows nicely. Again a big sweet malt profile followed by a dulled yet delicious hop variety. Full silky body is well carbonated. A fantastic ale that has aged well. (297 characters)

A: Pours a hazy copper with a dense tan head that lingers for q while leaving some delicate lacing. Honestly, it looks a lot like an American barleywine...

S: ...and it smells a lot like a barleywine as well. There is an initial citrus hop aroma, but definitely subdued. The smell is dominated by the caramel malts with butterscotch and brown sugar as well.

T: The taste is much like the smell. I never had it fresh, but I imagine there was a huge hop kick in this at some point. Now it's almost all malts with a touch of citrus up front and some earthy hop bitterness in the finish. Lots of sugary sweetness and some dark fruits as well.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied with decent carbonation, but it is very smooth and sticks to the mouth throughout.

D: This beer has aged very well in my opinion though it's certainly more of a barleywine than an IIPA at this point. Regardless of category, this is a great beer. (969 characters)

22 oz picked up a long time ago at Erickson's for $6.. it still has the price tag on it... poured into my Smokestack goblet. I am reviewing this tonight as my ongoing cellar clearing project.

1" finger head sticks around for a while and sticks like champ to the sides of the glass.. very nice lacing.. Brew is hazy bright orange.

Aroma is still fairly hoppy, but obviously is showing some age.. citric grapefruit with pale malts and a background brown sugar note.

Flavor is very much like a fairly fresh American BW.. piney and citrus hops with quite a big punch of maltiness and some caramel... finish is long with a sorta floral hoppy/yeasty fruitiness to it. The body is still fairly thick and the carbonation is pretty creamy.

I loved this beer immensely when fresh.. maybe my all time favorite DIPA.. right now, it is still drinking fairly nicely... again, it is much more like a big BW, but I am not complaining.. I am a happy camper. (945 characters)

Dayton recently had their 10th Alefest. One of the featured, rare brews was Stone's 10-year Anniversary batch. I am trying to get confirmation if this was part of a special re-brew batch for the event or was simply mislabeled. Both the local media, vendor and event pamphlet cited it as Stone 10th Anniversary IPA. Yet, BA claims it was only brewed once. Nonetheless, I will go with the information I have and make my review of it until I hear otherwise. I do have an email in with Stone Brew.

Let me say, this was my favorite of what I had at the event. I did not make it through all that I wanted there, but this I did and was very pleased.

It's tough to make a true assessment of something you only had two ounces of in between other beers, but what I can remember is this:

Color was very appealing, not entirely clear, but of a lighter amber with medium head.

Smell was sweet and citrusy as you would expect from an IPA, yet not strong

Taste was smooth. The hoppiness was there to open the door to it's smooth followthrough that matched it smell.

This very gentle on the palate. The 10% ABV didn't steal the show as does other high alcohol brews.

Everyone I talked to afterward cited this as maybe they're favorite of the festival. I concur. (1,253 characters)